Star fruit SOMETHING OF A CELEBRITY LES ACROBATIES DE LA CARAMBOLE Its very appearance is delightful. When sliced, this Asian fruit is shaped like a star. It’s a kind of magic, a tropical dream, passing through Mauritius, then flying off elsewhere, always landing on one of its tips. Rien que de la voir nous enchante. Découpé, ce fruit originaire d’Asie se transforme soudainement en étoile. Il y a là comme un début de magie, de rêve tropical, transhumant par l’île Maurice, voltigeant ailleurs pour toujours retomber sur l’une de ses pointes. BY FRANÇOIS SIMON The word itself is a celebration. It smacks of good humour. It goes even further, for not only does it celebrate, it stands out from all the others, it has made a name for itself as befits all stars, whatever their origin. And what a life it has lived before it lands decoratively on your plate. As always, the beginnings of the star fruit are lost in the mists of time. It appears here and there: in the Maluku Islands, Sri Lanka, on the Indian subcontinent, in Southeast Asia. It reappears in the Pacific, South America and Africa. And of course, in beautiful Mauritius. On the island of Java, the star fruit is seen as the symbol of spirituality, but things take a turn for the worse not far away, as its ridges (pancasila) are said to represent the five fundamental taboos (alcohol, drugs, adultery, theft, and gambling). But that is not our point here. THE STAR OF FRUITS And yet, the star fruit could have enjoyed a more peaceful life, falling into oblivion like the Java apple, the tamarind, the longan fruit, the rose apple, or the langsat… But no, it crops up in a smartphone game (Fruit Ninja), as well as its guest appearances in fruit salads, on grilled fish of the day, or in a child’s meal… It could have had a simple, pastoral life. Hanging nonchalantly from the branches of the carambola tree, which can climb as high as twelve metres, flourishing up to an altitude of 1200 m. Waiting for it to flower, up to three or four times a year. Tolerating a few tropical rains, then basking under a scorching sun, tempered by the breeze. And then being picked at just the right moment. It can be green, but is truly delicious when golden yellow – then it becomes simply mouthwatering. A FESTIVE MOOD The star fruit is quite at home with being such a celebrity. It must have known that already when it was still hanging on its branches. And quite rightly so: it is the queen of the catwalks (salads, fruit bowls and deli dishes); it bedecks the market stalls, it brightens the eyes of children. It also contains plenty of vitamin C. Star fruit is full of magic. Starting with its translucent flesh, as if grown in heaven. It is very sweet, full of juice and is one of the emblematic fruits of Mauritius, together with mangoes, Tahitian apples, bilimbi, lychees, and coconuts. A star by birth, it is very sociable. It can be a cheeky addition to a glass of rum or a dreamy garnish on a plate of fish. It goes wherever it is invited, often adding a crown of glory to poultry, a multitude of desserts, or even perched on the edge of a glass. It’s quite possible that, if left to itself, we would find it sunbathing in a deckchair on the beach. ITS SHADIER SIDE No doubt it was to quell all this passion that the star fruit developed a toxin. Such is the nature of stars, playing hard to get to escape their adoring fans. If consumed in large quantities, the star fruit can be poisonous. As with anything ©Gettyimages/Passakorn_14
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